Pressure-actuated lighter

ABSTRACT

A PRESSURE-ACTUATED POCKET LIGHTER WHICH COMPRISES A HOUSING HAVING TWO PARTS MOVABLE TOWARD EACH OTHER TO OPERATE THE LIGHTER, AND HAVING AN UPPER SURFACE WHICH IS DIVIDED INTO AT LEAST TWO SECTIONS WHICH TOGETHER FORM A SUBSTANTIALLY SMOOTH, CONTINUOUS SURFACE WHEN THE LIGHTER IS NOT ACTUATED, AND IN WHICH ONE OF THESE SECTIONS FORMS THE ACTUATED SURFACE OF ONE HOUSING PART WHICH IS ADAPTED TO BE DEPRESSED TO OPERATE THE LIGHTER, WHILE THE OTHER SECTIONS FORMS THE UPPER SURFACE OF AN ELEMENT WHICH, WHEN THE ACTUATING SURFACE IS DEPRESSED, EITHER REMAINS IN A FIXED POSITION OR MOVES IN A DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY OPPOSITE TO THE DEPRESSING MOVEMENT.

Feb. 16, 1971 H. BRQSS 3,563,682

PRESSURE-ACTUATED LIGHTER Filed Jan. 22, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.8

INVENTOR. Haz/var aff BLQMJM/ ima/ffl.

Feb. 16,. 1971 H. BR'oss 3,563,682

PRESSURE-ACTUATED LIGHTER Filed Jan. 22, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. isz/fg;- ,560.17

United States Patent O US. Cl. 431-130 9 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DlSCLOSURlE A pressure-actuated pocket lighter which comprises a housing having two parts movable toward each other to operate the lighter, and having an upper surface which is divided into at least two sections which together form a substantially smooth, continuous surface when the lighter is not actuated, and in which one of thes'e sections forms the actuating surface of one housing part which is adapted to be depressed to operate the lighter, while the other sections forms the upper surface of an element which, when the actuating surface is depressed, either remains in a fixed position or moves in a direction substantially opposite to the depressing movement.

The present invention relates to a pressure-actuated lighter, preferably of the type which is supplied with a gaseous fuel, and is carried in a pocket, and which comprises a fuel tank, a llame outlet, and an ignition device.

The lighter according to the invention is of a conventional type and may be operated in a conventional manner by being provided with an actuating surface which is adapted to be depressed, and with a flame outlet which, when the lighter is operated is located at its upper side which extends transverse to the direction in which the pressure is exerted.

It is an obect of the invention to provide a pocket lighter of this type which in its unactuated position has a geometrical shape with as smooth outer surfaces as possible without any parts such as a pressure lever, cap or cover, or the bearing means thereof, projecting toward the outside of the lighter housing so as to protect the material of the pockets of the trousers or jacket or of the lining of a ladys pocketbook in which the lighter is carried from being worn and to prevent threads or other foreign substances from entering any of the movable parts of the lighter, which might cause malfunctions of the latter. Another object of the invention is to provide a lighter of the mentioned type which cannot be opened accidentally in the pocket by an external pressure but may be actuated very quickly when held in the hand merely by exerting a pressure upon its actuating surfaces.

It is one of the features of the present invention that the housing of the lighter consists of at least two parts which for operating the lighter are movable in a straight direction toward each other against the action of at least one spring element, and that the upper surface of the lighter which extends transverse to the direction of movement of the housing parts consists of at least two sections which when the lighter is not actuated, together form a substantially continuous surface without steps and one of which forms the upper surface of one housing part upon which the actuating pressure is to be exerted, while another section forms the upper surface of an element which, when the lighter is actuated either remains in a fixed position when the mentioned housing part is moved or is moved in a direction different from this housing part. When speaking of a substantially continuous surface in connection with this invention, a surface is to be understood which does not have any abrupt differences in level CAD Patented Feb. l5, 1971 between its main parts, although it may be provided with small separating gaps, smaller openings, a knurling or the like, and is, for example, of a plane shape or may have a continuous curvature. If a pressure is exerted upon this entire upper surface of the lighter, as it may occur, for example, in a pocket by a tension on the clothing material or by a pressure from the outside by a large surface, there is no danger that the lighter might be actuated unintentionally since only a section of this upper surface but not the entire surface may be depressed. A part of this surface will resist the actuating movement either because it is immovable by itself, for example, the part surrounding the flame outlet, or because in reaction to the movement of the upper surface of one housing part another part will be moved in the opposite direction, fOr example, a cover for the ame outlet which is pivotable in the outward direction. Thus, the lighter according to the invention cannot be actuated unintentionally, and especially the gas valve of the lighter cannot be opened accidentally.

The housing parts which are movable toward and along each other are preferably made of the same outer dimensions so that the outer contours of their cross-sectional surfaces extending at right angles to the direction of movement are substantially equal. Thus, not only the upper surface and as usual also the lower surface of the lighter according to the invention are substantially smooth and uninterrupted, but its outer side walls may likewise be made substantially without interruptions, except for a gap of a shallow depth which extends in all of these side walls transverse to the direction of the actuating movement either continuously or in sections which are offset relative to each other in the direction of movement and which has a total width in the direction of movement at least equal to the length of the stroke which the two main parts of the housing have to be shifted toward each other in order to effect a proper operation of the lighter. The lighter according to the invention may thus be made of a smooth geometrical shape which offers no possibility of textile particles entering the bearing and guiding means of the functional elements of the lighter and has no projections which may hook, for example, into parts of a pocket.

The features and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description thereof which is to be read with reference t0 the accompanying drawings, in which- FIG. l shows, partly broken away and in section, an elevation of a lighter according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows, partly in section, an end view of the lighter as seen from the left side of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the lighter according to FIG. l;

FIGS. 4 to 8 show elevations of several different modifications of the lighter housing according to the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of another modification of the lighter housing according to the invention consisting of two parts which are connected to each other by resilient webs; while FIG. l0 shows a perspective view of still another moditication of the lighter according to the invention in which the lighter housing consists of two parts which slidably interengage with each other in the direction of movement.

FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings illustrate the functional parts of a lighter according to all embodiments of the invention. Of course, the particular design and arrangement of the fuel tank and gas valve, the ignition device and the actuating levers or the like which are associated with this device are not limited by the scope of the invention, and it is also possible to employ a fuel other than a gas and different ignition devices, for example, of an electric type. The bottom of the fuel tank 1 is secured to or integral with a first housing part 2 in the form of a base plate the lateral edge portions of which project at all sides beyond the lateral outer surfaces of the tank 1 for a distance `which substantially corresponds to the wall thickness of a second housing part 3 of a cuplike or boxlike shape which is slidable along the outer surfaces of the tank 1 in a direction vertical to the base plate 2. This tank 1 has a uniform outer shape in the direction of movement of the cup-shaped housing part 3 and its outer size differs from the inner size of the housing part 3 only to such an extent that the latter will be guided by and easily slidable along the outer surfaces of tank 1 with as little friction as possible. For receiving and guiding a return spring 8 and also for additionally guiding the upper housing part 3 relative to the base plate 2 and the fuel tank 1 thereon, a guide tube 4 extends through the tank 1 and has a flange on its upper end engaging upon the upper side 6 of tank 1, while its lower end is secured to the base plate 2 by a nut 5 the head of which is inserted into a recess in plate 2 and which is screwed upon the lower end of guide tube 4. Tube 4 has an axially extending 'bore `7 the longer upper part of which has a larger diameter than its lower part and contains the coil return spring 8 through which a pin 9 extends which is slidable longitudinally in the lower part of bore 7. This pin 9 is integrally connected to and coaxial with a thicker pin 10 which projects into and is slidable in the upper end of bore 7 and the fiat lower end of which engages upon the upper end of spring 8. On its upper end, pin 10 has a head 11 to which an actuating lever 12 and a pressuretransmitting plate 13 are secured. From its end which is secured to the head 11 the actuating lever 12 is bent downwardly toward the upper side of the fuel tank 1 upon which an intermediate part of this lever engages, while the other end of this lever 12 engages upon a gas outlet valve 15 which is inserted into the upper side 6 of tank 1 and is provided with a setscrew 14. Between the guide pin 10 and the valve [15 an ignition device is provided which may be of a conventional type and consists of a flint 16 which projects from the upper side 6 of tank 1, and of a friction wheel 17 which is secured to a ratchet wheel 18 and is rotatable with the latter about a pin 19 on which a cover 20 is also pivotable which is inserted into an aperture in the upper wall 26 of the housing part 3 and the upper surface 21 of which is fiush with the upper surface of this wall 26 when cover 20 is in its closed position. On the inner surface of cover 20 a pawl bar 23 is secured which engages into the ratchet wheel 18. The side walls of cover 20 are further provided at the inside with grooves or apertures 24 into which pins or rollers 25 engage which are provided on the upper housing part 3.

For operating the lighter, a pressure may be exerted upon the outer surface of the upper wall 26 of the housing part 3 so as to depress the latter toward the base plate 2. If this housing part 3 is accurately guided on the fuel tank 1 by means of its side walls and guide pins 9 and 10, the operating pressure may be exerted upon any part of the outer surface of wall 26 without causing any undue friction or binding of the side walls of housing part 3 on the outer surfaces of fuel tank 1. However, since the pressure is generally exerted by the thumb or the index finger of the operator of the lighter upon a relatively large surface area of wall 26 above the pressuretransmitting plate 13, the housing part 3 will not tilt relative to the fuel tank 1 and become wedged on the side walls of the latter even though there might be a small play between these parts and no expensive means are provided to guide them along each other. Thus, when a pressure is exerted upon the upper surface of the upper housing part 3, the latter is shifted toward the lower housing part or base plate 2 against the action of coil spring 8 which is then compressed by the pin l0 which slides downwardly in the bore 7 of guide tube 4.

The actuating lever 12 then opens the valve 15, while at the same time the cover 20 is pivoted upwardly about the pin 19 and opened by the downward movement of the pins or rollers 25. This movement of cover 20 is transmitted by the pawl bar 23 to the ratchet wheel `18 which is thereby turned together with the friction wheel 17 which scrapes along the fiint 16 and thus produces sparks which ignite the gas emerging from the opened valve 15. The length of the downward stroke of the housing part 3 which is necessary to effect these functions is determined by the distance a between the lower edge of the housing part 3 and the upper edge of the base plate 2 which, when abutting against each other, limit the stroke. Of course, the length of the stroke of housing part 3 may also be limited by a stop member which is provided on the upper side 6 of tank 1 and is adapted to engage upon the inner side of the upper wall 26 of the upper housing part 3. When the pressure upon wall 26 is released, the expansion of coil spring 8 will return the two housing parts 2 and 3 to their original positions and thereby also cause the cover 20 and the valve 15 to be closed.

The lighter according to FIGS. l and 2 is illustrated as being provided with several associated means for guiding the telescoping parts of V'the housing more accurately in a straight direction along each other so that no wedging or binding can occur between them. One or several of these guide means may be provided on the same lighter. Thus, for example, one or more of the side walls of the fuel tank 1 may be provided with straight grooves or ribs 27 which extend in the direction of movement of the housing part 3 and engage with corresponding projections or grooves on or in the inner lateral wall surface of the housing part 3. Still more preferred is, however, the provision of guiding means `which extend the distance along which the outer housing part 3 is guided along the side walls of the fuel tank. The side walls of the tank may for this purpose be provided with upward extensions 28 which may be either in the form of individual extensions or of a continuous extension of all side walls. It is, however, also possible to provide the side wall extensions of the tank 1 on which the pin 19 carrying the friction and ratchet wheels 17 and 18 are mounted with grooves or projections 29 which engage with corresponding projections or grooves 30 on or in the upper part of the inner wall surface of the housing part 3. A further Apreferred embodiment of the guide means consists in providing the upper surface 6 of the tank with upwardly projecting arms 31 which extend up to a line on the inner surface of the housing part 3 upon which they engage which is located as high as possible above the upper surface 6 of the tank without reducing the length u of the stroke which is required for the proper operation of the lighter. In the cup-shaped housing part 3 is simply slipped over the tank 1 until it engages upon the pressure-transmitting plate 13 or upon a supporting part 39 which is connected to this plate, Spring elements may be provided which are secured, for example, to the supporting part 39 and engage resiliently upon the inner well surface of the housing part 3. This permits the housing part 3 to be easily withdrawn from the lower housing part 1, 2 in the event that the lighter requires any repair or service work. Suitable stop means may be provided for these spring elements on the inner wall of the housing part 3.

FIG. 1 illustrates one of these spring elements 40 directly above a guide extension 28. In actual practice it should, however, be kept in mind that the upper housing must be movable at least for the distance a relative to the base plate 2. It is therefore advisable to provide the spring elements 40 and the guide extensions 28 or the arms 31 in an offset relation to each other transverse to the direction of movement of the housing part 3. Base plate 2 contains not only the nut 5 and the setscrew 14 but also the other screws 32 and 33 for adjusting the fiint and for closing the filling opening of the fluel tank. ln order lo improve the appearance of the lighter, the area of the fuel tank 1 which is exposed when the lighter is not in operation and which corresponds at least to the distance a between the lower edge of the housing part 3 and the upper edge of the base plate 2 is preferably provided With an ornamental coating 34.

FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7 illustrate modifications of the lighter according to the invention on a smaller scale than the lighter according to FIGS. l to 3. Each of these lighters comprises a pair of housing parts 2 and 3 which are likewise movable toward and away from each other for a distance a. For ornamental reasons, the gap necessary for this movement between the two housing parts may be made of many different shapes, as is evident, for example, from these drawings. The upper housing part 3 is again made of a cuplike shape similarly as shown in FIG. l, while the lower housing part 2 may likewise be of a cuplike shape and be clampe-d together with or otherwise secured to the lower part of the fuel tank. The tank and the lower housing part 2 may, however, also be integral and made of a single piece of material. The lighters according to all embodiments of the invention as illustrated are, when in the released position, of a plain rectangular shape, except for the gap of the width a and a shallow depth in the outer surfaces of the side walls of each lighter. While the upper and lower housing parts of each of the lighters according to FIGS. 4 to 7 have substantially the same outer shape, the upper housing part 3 of the lighter according to FIG. 8 has a smaller width than the lower housing part 2. This lower housing part 2 has at one end an upward extension 35, the inner edge of which extends parallel to the adjacent outer edge of the upper housing part 3 and in the direction of movement of the latter. The upper surface of this extensoin 35 upon which of course, no operating pressure is to be exerted is flush with the upper surface of the upper housing part 3 when the latter is not depressed. This upper surface of the extension 35 may, however, also form a lateral enclosure of the flame outlet and serve as a protection of the valve or as a wind shield. It may also contain an aperture in which a pivotable cover is provided, as described with reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention in which the two housing parts 2 and 3 of the lighter are connected to each other by elastically deformable webs 36. These webs extend transverse to the direction of movement of the upper housing part 3 relative to the lower housing part 2 and may have such a resilience that additional spring means such as the coil spring 8 as shown in FIG. 1 will be unnecessary. These webs 36 are connected by intermediate parts 37 so that all of them together have a meanderlike shape, and the gaps between them have a total width equal to at least the distance a which is required for the proper operation of the lighter. The two parts 2 and 3 of the housing according to FIG. 9 are preferably integral with each other and the webs may be formed by cuts which are offset relative to each other in the opposite sides of the housing and/or by cuts which are made in the sides which extend at right angles to each other. If the housing is made of plastic, the connecting parts 37 may also be made of a wall thickness smaller than that of the remainder of the housing. If the webs 36 are spaced considerably or irregularly from each other, other housing parts which may individually be rigid may be provided between the upper and lower housing parts 2 and 3. In order to permit the housing to be withdrawn from the functional elements of the lighter so that the latter may be repaired or serviced, if necessary, the lower housing part 2 is preferably made without a bottom and merely clamped or locked in any other manner to the outer walls of the lower part of the fuel tank.

FIG. 10 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention, in which similarly to the lighters according to FIGS. l to 8 the two housing parts 2 and 3 form two separate elements and the lower housing part 2 encloses and is secured to the lower part of the fuel tank. The upper cup- 6 shaped housing part 3 is slidable along the side Walls of the fuel tank and is connected thereto by spring means in the manner as described with reference to FIG. 1. The opposite edges of the two housing parts 2 and 3 are provided with a plurality of prongs 38 which are separated by corresponding recesses from each other. When the lighter is operated, the prongs 38 on one housing part engage into the apertures in the other housing part and the side walls of the prongs then slide along the side walls of the corresponding recesses and insure a straight movement of the two housing parts relative to each other.

As already stated, the upper surface 26 of the upper housing part 3 and the upper surface 21 of the cover 20 or in addition according to FIG. 8 the upper surface of the extension 35 of the lower housing part 2 form together a substantially continuous surface. It is, however, also possible to divide this surface further, for example, by merely providing an operating surface similar to the pressure-transmitting plate 13 which is exposed in the upward direction and only framed by the upper housing part. Although the entire upper surface of the lighter according to the invention is substantially uninterrupted in the inactuated position, the part thereof upon which the operating pressure is directly exerted may also be knurled, groovcd or the like to afford a firmer grip thereon.

Although according to the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated the two parts 2 and 3 of the lighter housing are separated from each other in the neutral or released position of the lighter by a small gap of the width a which may be either continuous or divided into several sections as shown, for example, in FIGS. 9 and 10, which gap has the result that the surfaces of the fuel tank with or without an ornamental coating thereon are visible through this gap, this small interruption of the outer surface of the lighter housing does not detract from its general appearance of having a smooth, substantially continuous outer surface. This remains true even though at the area of this gap the outer surface of the fuel tank or the coating thereon might be slightly recessed from the remainder of the side walls of the tank along which the side walls of the upper housing part are slidable so that this housing part will not directly engage with this area of the tank surface and therefore cannot mar the finish thereof. If, for guiding the upper housing part 3 along the fuel tank, shallow ribs or other projections are provided either on the outside of the side walls of the fuel tank or on the inner side of the side walls of the upper housing part, so that a guiding engagement between the surfaces of the upper housing part and those of the tank will only be produced by these projections, they should likewise not be provided within the area of the gap or gaps a so as not to mar the finish of the visible parts of the tank.

Although my invention has been illustrated and desscribed with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, I wish to have it understood that it is in no Way limited to the details of such embodiments but is capable of numerous-modications within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully disclosed my invention, what I claim 1s:

1. A pressure-actuated lighter compris-ing a housing having at least a first and a second part movable toward each other from a neutral position to an actuated position, guide means for guiding said housing parts so as only to be movable in straight opposite directions, resilient means for returning said parts from said actuated position to said neutral position, a fuel tank in said housing and secured to said second part and having a flame outlet, ignition means within said housing parts at least when in said neutral position, said housing having an outer surface extending transverse to the direction of movement of said housing parts and consisting of at least two sections, said sections being substantially in alignment with each other and together forming a substantially continuous surface when said lighter is in said neutral position, the outer surface of the first of said sections forming the actuating surface of said first housing part upon which a pressure is to be exerted to move it toward said actuated position, said housing parts being cup-shaped and inverted relative to each other, said guide means comprising a plurality of projections on the side walls of each of said housing part extending from the edge of the open side thereof in the direction of movement of said parts relative to each other and spaced by recesses from each other, said projections on one of said housing parts being slidable along and guided by the side walls of the corresponding recesses in said other housing part.

2. A pressure-actuated lighter comprising a housing having at least a first and a second part movable toward each other from a neutral position to an actuated position, guide means for guiding said housing parts so as only to be movable in straight opposite directions, resilient means for returning said parts from said actuated position to said neutral position, a fuel tank in said housing and secured to said second part and having a tiame outlet, ignition means within said housing parts at least when in said neutral position, said housing having an outer surface extending transverse to the direction of movement of said housing parts and consisting of at least two sections, said sections being substantially in alignment with each other and together forming a substantially continuous surface when said lighter is in said neutral position, the outer surface of the first of said sections forming the actuating surface of said first housing part upon which a pressure is to be exerted to move it toward said actuated position, said resilient means comprising rcsiliently deformable webs connecting said two housing parts to each other.

3. A pressure-actuated lighter comprising a housing having at least a first and a second part movable toward each other from a neutral position to an actuated position, guide means for guiding said housing parts so as only to be movable in straight opposite directions, resilient means for returning said parts from said actuated position to said neutral position, a fuel tank in said housing and secured to said second part and having a fiame outlet, ignition means within said housing parts at least when in said neutral position, said housing having an outer surface extending transverse to the direction of movement of said housing parts and consisting of at least two sections, said sections being substantially in alignment with each other and together forming a substantially continuous surface when said lighter is in said neutral position, the outer surface of the first of said sections forming the actuating surface of said first housing part upon which a pressure is to be exerted to move it toward said actuated position, said first housing part being cupshaped and having side walls movable along the outer walls of said fuel tank, said first housing part and said fuel tank forming two elements, said guide means comprising projections on the walls of at least one of said elements engaging with and adapted to slide along the walls of the other element.

4. A pressure-actuated lighter comprising a housing having at least a first and a second part movable toward each other from a neutral position to an atcuated position, guide means for guiding said housing parts so as only to be movable in straight opposite directions, resilient means for returning said parts from sad actuated position to said neutral position, a fuel tank in said housing and secured to said second part and having a flame outlet, ignition means within said housing parts at least when in said neutral position, said housing having an outer surface extendng transverse to the direction of movement of said housing parts and consisting of at least two sections, said sections being substantially in alignment with each other and together forming a substantially continuous surface when said lighter is in said neutral position, the outer surface of the first of said sections forming the actuating surface of said first housing part upon which a pressure is to be exerted to move it toward said actuated position, said guide means comprising associated projections on and recesses in the surfaces of said fuel tank and said first housing part engaging into each other and slidable along each other and extending in the direction of movement of said first housing part.

5. A pressure-actuated lighter comprising a housing having at least a first and a second part movable toward each other from a neutral position to an actuated position, guide means for guiding said housing parts so as only to be movable in straight opposite directions, resilient means for returning said parts from said actuated position to said neutral position, a fuel tank in said housing and secured to said second part, and having a flame outlet, ignition means within said housing parts at least when in said neutral position, said housing having an outer surface extending transverse to the direction of movement of said housing parts and consisting of at least two sections, said sections being substantially in alignment with each other and together forming a substantially continuous surface when said lighter is in said neutral position, the outer surface of the first of said sections forming the actuating surface of said first housing part upon which a pressure is to be exerted to move it toward said actuated position, said guide means comprising means on said fuel tank projecting upwardly from the upper wall thereof in the direction toward the upper wall of said housing part and slidably engaging with parts of the inner side wall surfaces of said first housing part above said upper wall of said tank.

6. A pressure-actuated lighter comprising a housing having at least a first and a second part movable toward each other from a neutral position to an actuated position, guide means for guiding said housing parts so as only to be movable in straight opposite directions, resilient means for returning said parts from said actuated position to said neutral position, a fuel tank in said housing and secured to said second part and having a ame outlet, ignition means within said housing part at least when in said neutral position, said housing having an outer surface extending transverse to the direction of movement of said housing parts and consisting of at least two sections, said sections being substantially in alignment with each other and together forming a substantially continuous surface when said lighter is in said neutral position, the outer surface of the first of said sections forming the actuating surface of said first housing part upon which a pressure is to be exerted to move it toward said actuated position, and further comprising an actuating element within but separate from said first housing part and adapted to be moved thereby when said lighter is actuated, and spring means secured to said element and engaging upon parts of the inner side wall surfaces of said first housing part for resiliently clamping said element to said first housing part.

7. A pressure-actuated lighter comprising a housing having at least a first and a second part movable toward each other from a neutral position to an actuated position, guide means for guiding said housing parts so as only to be movable in straight opposite directions, resilient means for returning said parts from said actuated position to said neutral position, a fuel tank in said housing and secured to said second part and having a tiame outlet, ignition means within said housing parts at least when in said neutral position, said housing having an outer surface extending transverse to the direction of movement of said housing parts and consisting of at least two sections, said sections being substantially in alignment with each other and together forming a substantially continuous surface when said lighter is in said neutral position, the outer surface of the first of said sections forming the actuating surface of said first housing part upon which a pressure is to be exerted to move it toward said actuating position, wherein during actuating motion of the rst housing portion, the second surface portion of said exterior surface of the housing moves in a direction which is essentially opposite to the direction of actuation and also relative to said second housing portion.

8. A lighter -as dened in claim 2, in which said webs are integral with said two housing parts and extend substantially transverse to the direction of movement of said parts.

9. A lighter as dened in claim 7, in which said second section of said outer housing surface forms a part of a cover which is pivotably mounted on said fuel tank above the upper wall thereof and adapted to pivot upwardly from said rst section when said rst section s depressed and masked into said outer housing when said 10 lighter is iu said neutral position so that only the part of said cover which forms said second section is to be seen.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,024,843 4/1912 Everett 431-129 1,910,370 5/1933 Steineld 431-129 2,43 7,623 3 1948 Sundby 431-129 10 3,425,783 2/1969 Goto 431-255 EDWARD G. FAVORS, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

